Effect of the Addition of Crystalline Lysine and Methionine to Low Protein Diets on the growth Performance, Bone Traits, Carcass Traits and Haematological Parameters in Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris).

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of three levels of crude protein supplemented with crystalline lysine and methionine on the growth performance, bone traits, carcass traits, gastrointestinal pH, as well as haematological parameters in the pearl Guinea fowls. One hundred and thirty-nine (139) experimental keets were randomly assigned to three diets with varied crude protein, lysine and methionine levels in a completely randomised design. Treatment one (T1) was formulated to contain high crude protein levels of 20.08 % with the addition of 0 % crystalline lysine and methionine, respectively. Treatment two (T2) was formulated to contain medium crude protein levels of 17.33 % with the addition of 0.15 % and 0.4 % crystalline lysine and methionine, respectively and Treatment three (T3) was also formulated to contain low levels of crude protein of 13.69 % with the addition of 0.9 % and 0.25 % crystalline lysine and methionine, respectively. The Guinea fowls were offered feed and water ad libitum throughout the starter, grower, and finisher phases. Feed consumption, body weight, gain, feed conversion ratio (feed: gain) and livability were calculated weekly. Bone dimensions and breaking strength were measured on d 65 and 93, as well as the weight of the heart, gizzard, liver, breast and thigh were also measured and expressed as a percentage during the same period of the experiment. Gastrointestinal pH of the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, ileum, jejunum and caeca were measured on d 93 and finally, the haematological parameters were also measured on d 93 of the experiment. Treatment 1 and 2 improved the body weight (BW) and body weight gain of Guinea fowls significantly (p < 0.05), compared to dietary treatment 1. Treatment 3 improved (p < 0.05) the weight of the gizzard compared to treatments 1 and 2, while all other carcass traits were non-responsive to the experimental diets on d 65 and 93. There was no significant (p > 0.05) effect of dietary treatment on all haematological indices studied and pH of the intestinal segments of the experimental Guinea fowls. It was concluded that the diet containing 17.33 % CP with 0.15 % and 0.4 % lysine and methionine, respectively, generally promoted better growth of the pearl Guinea fowls.